The 25-year-old said: âIf you love someone enough you support them through whatever they need and Chris knows how much I love George. The wedding is the last of our thoughts at the moment, we canât possibly afford it.â

The primary school teacher adopted the reptile from a rescue centre last year but soon realised he was âvery poorlyâ.

Vets found a tumour on Georgeâs face, so Miss Griffiths spent her savings on treatment rather than have him put down. The chemo sessions, which were successful, were the first for a bearded dragon in Britain.

Miss Griffiths, from Purley, south London, said: âChris and I share a passion for dinosaurs â weâre both obsessed and itâs like having one in your front room. When I first saw George at the rescue centre I just fell in love with him.

âI knew I would give him everything I could, I would spend every amount of money I could on him.â

Mr Fisher said: âThey have a special bond. If he sits on me, he will just wriggle about. When heâs with Lizzie, heâs so calm â itâs like he knows she saved him.â